The oracle concerning]

CHAP. XVII.

THE burden of Damascus. Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city, and it shall be a ruinous heap.

2 The cities of Aroer are forsaken: they shall be for flocks, which shall lie down, and none shall make them afraid.

3 The fortress also shall cease from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus, and the remnant of Syria: they shall be as the glory of the children of Israel, saith the LORD of hosts.

4 And in that day it shall come to pass, that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin, and the fatness of his flesh shall wax lean.~.

5 And it shall be as when the harvestman gathereth the corn, and reapeth the ears with his arm; and it shall be as he that gathereth ears in the valley of Rephaim.

6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.

[Damascus.

7 At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.

8 And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves, or the images.

9 In that day shall his strong cities be as a forsaken bough, and an uppermost branch, which they left because of the children of Israel: and there shall be desolation.

10 Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips:

11 In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief, and of desperate sorrow.

12 Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

13 The nations shall rush like the

by a variety of circumstances connected with the desolation of the country. She is compared to a bird driven from her nest, and her daughters, (i. e. her inhabitants) are represented as obliged to wade through the fords of Arnon, the boundary of their country, to seek protection in a foreign land. If we admit the reading of Bp. Lowth, and suppose the heir to the crown to be a fugitive among the rest, the picture becomes still more distressing. "Indeed, all

the circumstances that enter into the description-the languishing of the vine-the ceasing of the vintage-shouting-and the sound of the prophet's bowels, quivering like a harp are most happily chosen. Verses 3 to 5 are addressed to Zion, recommending mercy towards her enemies in their distress, and encouraging her to look for more signal blessings under the Messiah, and, more immediately, under Hezekiah, who was a type of him.”

CHAP. XVII. Ver. 1. The burden. -Heb. Mathat. See this word explained in the Note on Prov. 1.1. But in the Prophets, it usually means an Oracle (or inspired prediction) of some great calamity.

Ver. 2. The cities of Aroer are forsaken.-As it is uncertain what cities could be here meant, Lowth follows the LXX in reading, " The cities are deserted (or forsaken) for ever;" and the difference in the original is but smail.

Ver. 8. The altars, the work of his handsthat is, "dedicated "to his idols. Lowth.--Either the groves, &c.-"Lowth, "Nor the groves, nor the solar statues ;" Marg. "Sun-images."

Ver. 9. His strong cities be as a forsaken bough, &c.-that is, as a bough stripped of leaves and fruit, and therefore totally disregarded; so shall their

cities be stripped of inhabitants and treasure. But Lowth, following the LXX, reads, "His strongly fenced cities shall become like the desertion of the Hivites and Amorites, when they deserted the land before the face of the sons (or children) of Israel; and the land shall become a desolation."

Ver. 10. Therefore - Literally, "Upon now," at the time when; (as 1 Sam. ix. 13.) i. e. when thou shalt plant, &c.

Ver. 11. The harvest shall be a heap-Marg. "Shall be removed;" i. e. by the enemy. The meaning is, that after taking the greatest possible pains to cultivate their vineyards and their gardens, the enemy shall forcibly take away the produce. Ver. 13. A rolling thing-Marg." Thistle down." See Note on Psalm lxxxiii. 13.

An oracle]

in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.

5 For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.

6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon

them.

7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the

CHAP. XVIII.

[respecting Egypt.

name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion. (S) CHAP. XIX.

THE burden of Egypt. Behold,

the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.

2 And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom.

3 And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof: and they shall seek to the idols, and to the charmers, and to them that have familiar spirits, and to the wizards. 4 And the Egyptians will I give

(S) Predictions, supposed to relate to Egypt and to Israel. This prophecy is very obscure, and the history and people to which it refers, doubtful. It was probably designed to give the Jews, and perhaps the Egyptians, (supposed to be intended, ver. 1, 2.) with whom many Jews resided, an intimation of God's interposition in favour of Zion, and of his counsels in regard to the destruction of their common enemy, Sennacherib; that his vast army, just as he thought his projects ripe, and ready to be crowned with success, should become a prey to the beasts of the field, and to the fowls of heaven; aud that Egypt should be grateful to God for the deliverance vouchsafed her. (Comp. ver. 7. with 2 Chron. xxxii. 23.)

Bp. Lowth, (following Bochart) instead of the land shadowed with wings," as in our version, renders it," the land of the winged cymbal," meaning the sistrum, a tukling instrument, somewhat like the cymbal in its sound and object; but in its form more like a battledore, having thick lateral wires, running through from side to side, with an imagined similitude to

wings. This instrument was used by the Egyptians in all their sacrifices to Isis. Their country is a long vale, extending to 750 miles; made level and smooth by the overflowing of the Nile. The prophecy is delivered to messengers that were probably sent by the Egyptians, either to bring tidings of Sennacherib, or to form an alliance with the Jews against him.

Bp. Horsley, however, is of opinion, that it refers to the Jews, at the period of their restoration, and the destruction of Antichrist. It is very true, that the Jews answer well to the character of " a nation scattered and peeled ;" and that the standard upon the mountains, and the trumpet blown at the same time, well represent the promulgation of the gospel: but then

the vessels of bulrushes," the land "meted out and trodden down," will scarcely apply to any country beside that of Egypt. We must, however, conclude as we begun, with confessing our inability to give a clear elucidation of the chapter,

Bp. Lowth himself says, "This is one of the most obscure prophecies in the whole book of Isaiah."

CHAP. XIX. Ver. 1. Behold, Jehovah rideth.Compare Psalm civ. 3.

Ver. 2. I will set-Heb. "Mingle." This refers to the civil dissentions mentioned in our Exposition. Ver. 3. The spirit of Egypt shall fail, and I will destroy, &e.-Heb. " Shall be emptied out," and "I will swallow up," &c.

Ver. 4. Give over-Heb. "Shut up," alluding to the case of prisoners of war. A cruel LordHeb. "Lords;" meaning, the 12 princes of Egypt. And a fierce king-that is, according to Grotius, Psammeticus; but according to Bps. Newton and Lowth, Nebuchadnezzar,

over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts.

5 And the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up.

6 And they shall turn the rivers far away; and the brooks of defence shall be emptied and dried up: the reeds and flags shall wither.

7 The paper reeds by the brooks, by the mouth of the brooks, and every thing sown by the brooks, shall wither, be driven away, and be no more.

8 The fishers also shall mourn, and all they that cast angle into the brooks shall lament, and they that spread nets upon the waters shall languish.

9 Moreover they that work in fine flax, and they that weave networks, shall be confounded.

10 And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish.

11 Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?

12 Where are they? where are thy wise men? and let them tell thee now, and let them know what the LORD of hosts hath purposed upon Egypt.

13 The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have also seduced Egypt, even they that are the stay of the tribes thereof.

14 The LORD hath mingled a per

[respecting Israel.

verse spirit in the midst thereof: and they have caused Egypt to err in every work thereof, as a drunken man staggereth in his vomit.

15 Neither shall there be any work for Egypt, which the head or tail, branch or rush, may do.

16 In that day shall Egypt be like unto women and it shall be afraid and fear because of the shaking of the hand of the LORD of hosts, which he shaketh over it.

17 And the land of Judah shall be a terror unto Egypt, every one that maketh mention thereof shall be afraid in himself, because of the counsel of the LORD of hosts, which he hath determined against it.

18 In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction.

19 In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD.

20 And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors; and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them.

21 And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it.

Ver. 5. From the sea. So the Nile was called, when it overflowed the country.

Ver, 6. And they shall turn the rivers far away.— Lowth," And the streams shall become putrid." So Boothroyd.And the brooks of defence.-By these, Lowth and others understand, "the canals of Egypt."

Ver. 7. The paper reeds by the brooks.-The papyrus being included among the reeds, &c. in ver. 6, Lowth renders this, "The meadows by the canal," and Boothroyd (after Kimchi) "The marshy meadows at the mouth of the river. And be no more --Heb. "And shall not be."

Ver. 10. And they shall be broken in the purposes (Marg. "foundatious") thereof-that is, in modern terms, the weavers shall be bankrupt, their trade being ruined, as well as that of the fish dealers.

Ver. 12. Let them know- - Boothroyd, Make known."

Ver. 13. Even they that are the stay- Lowth, "The chief pillars of the tribes." Ver. 14. Mingled a perverse spirit-Heb. "Spirit of perverseness. Compare ver. 2.

One of

Ver. 18. The language-Heb. "lip.” · them shall be called, The city of destruction—Marg. "The city of the sun;" Heb. Heres. The Jews, on the building of Heliopolis, (the city of the sun) called it, the city of righteousness, and regarded it as a rival of the temple of Jerusalem; but their brethren in Palestine, by a play on the word, called it, in aversion," the city of destruction." N. B. Heres, the word here used, means "destruction," but Cheres, (a stronger aspiration) means "the sun."

Ver. 19. An altar, &c.-i. e. the worship of the true God shall be received and maintained, according to his appointment. See Josh. xxii. 21-29; Zeph. ii. 9; Rom. xv. 6.

Ver. 24. Of the land-Heb. "Of the carth."

22 And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them.

23 In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians.

24 In that day' shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:

25 Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my

CHAP. XIX.

[Ashdod and Egypt.

people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance. (T)

(T) An oracle respecting Egypt.-Not many years after the destruction of Sennacherib's army, before Jerusalem, by which the Egyptians were freed from so powerful an enemy, their country became a prey to intestine broils, which ended in anarchy, and in the division of the kingdom among twelve tyrant princes. To this succeeded the sole dominion of Psammitichus, for 54 years. This was followed by the conquest of Egypt, by Nebuchadnezzar, and then by the Persians under Cambyses, the son of Cyrus. But the

yoke of the Persians was so grievous, that the conquest of them by Alexander may well be considered as a deliverance to Egypt, which he and his successors greatly favoured and improved. To all these events Bp. Lowth conceives the prophet had a view in this chapter. He likewise intimates (ver. 18, &c.) the spread of the Jewish religion in Egypt and Syria, under Alexander, and his successors. The Ptolomies, the first of whom, called Soter, (or the deliverer) may be alluded to in ver. 20: although, in their highest sense, the words must undoubtedly be referred to a greater Saviour. In the time of this Ptolomy, Philo reckons that there was one million of Jews in that country, who all worshipped the God of their fathers, taught and spread the knowledge of him, and consequently paved the way for an early recep

tion of the gospel in this and the neighbouring countries. (See Bp. Newton's Dissert. xii.) For the dispersion of the Jews of old, was like casting the seed of true religion abroad in the earth, as they every where carried with them the knowledge of the true God, and an expected Messiah. And it is not impossible but even their present dispersion may, in the issue, prove equally beneficial in its consequences to the world at large..

As to the Egyptians, their chief boast was in the antiquity of their nation, their acquaintance with the occult sciences, their fisheries and canals, and their flaxmanufactories; all which are alluded to in this chapter. But these the threatened failure of the Nile would of course destroy; and all their arts and wisdom must fail, when the judgments of God should visit them. He, however, who wounded them, would also heal. We have already remarked the spread of Judaism in Egypt; and may now add, that Jeremiah, for a time, resided there, and there delivered many of his prophecies. (Jer. xliii. 5, &c.) Among the first converts to Christianity we also find " dwellers in Egypt," and all the neighbouring parts (Acts ii. 10; viii. 27, &c.) Also before the erection of the see of Constantinople, Alexandria ranked next to Rome; and there are still great numbers of nominal Christians in that country, which may serve as the foundation of a future church.

CHAP. XX. Ver. 1. Sargon is generally supposed to be another name for Sennacherib, but this is by no means certain. Vitringa supposes him to have heen Psalmaneser, father of Sennacherib, but Rosenmuller, that he was his successor.

Ver. 3. Naked and barefoot three years-Lowth, "A sign and a prodigy of three years upon Egypt and upon Cush" (or Ethiopia). Bp. Lowth supposes the words three days, may have been dropped by the transcriber, or that the word days may have been